One among his decisions is known to be racing a second Jota Porsche 963 in WEC competitors in 2024, with Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica also in the frame for drives at the Hertz-backed team.
Button is making his IMSA GTP debut this weekend in JDC Miller MotorSports’ Porsche 963, alongside Mike Rockenfeller and Tijmen van der Helm, at Highway Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans IMSA finale.
Though this one-off deal took place after talks prompted by Rockenfeller and IMSA boss John Doonan, it’s additionally been seen as a toe-in-the-water train forward of subsequent season. He additionally confirmed that this weekend is the one operating he has deliberate with JDC.
“I truthfully don’t know, I’ve a few choices in IMSA to do a full season and to do enduros, I even have a few choices to do WEC,” mentioned Button when requested about his future on Thursday.
“To begin with, I must see if I get pleasure from this race weekend, and I believe I’ll, and I’ve received a move from the spouse, in order that’s one other essential factor!”
Jenson Button, Rick Ware Racing, Mobil 1 Ford Mustang
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Button is eager to race extra in 2024 after three appearances in NASCAR Cup street races and participating within the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Hendrick-Chevrolet Storage 56 challenge.
“I’m in a really completely different a part of my life now, I’ve two children, and I don’t wish to be away from my household an excessive amount of,” he mentioned. “However I believe I’m a greater dad after I’m racing, and my spouse says the identical factor.
“I might be racing one thing subsequent yr, it simply relies upon the place and the way a lot I do.”
Button says his race weekend to date has been about adjusting to the LMDh automotive, which is the primary prototype he’s pushed because the SMP Racing LMP1 challenge in 2018.
“The issue is that each one I’ve pushed this yr is NASCAR, the Cup automotive and Storage 56 at Le Mans,” he added. “And also you’re making large actions with the steering wheel, which you’ll be able to’t do in a excessive downforce automotive, as a result of as quickly as you get lateral load you lose the whole lot.
“You must be extremely exact in these vehicles, however I’d heard drivers saying optimistic and damaging issues about them, so I used to be slightly bit sceptical, however after driving it for a day, it’s only a racing automotive with downforce. You’re going to not like some issues however like different issues.
“It locks up while you’re going sluggish as a result of these vehicles don’t have mechanical grip, so that you’re at all times preventing for that since you’ve received the automotive as little as you may to make the downforce work. In case you put the automotive within the air, it turns into softer, and also you’ll fly within the low-speed however you’ll be ineffective within the high-speed stuff.
“It’s the identical with any racing automotive with downforce, which is nice, so I do know what I’m doing.”
#5 JDC Miller MotorSports Porsche 963: Tijmen van der Helm, Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button
Picture by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
Button has had no points to date with {the electrical} hybrid system within the Porsche, which has added an additional dimension to IMSA’s premier class competitors this season.
“I wouldn’t even understand it has a hybrid, there’s not been a second the place it hasn’t labored as anticipated, so it’s very completely different from after we had slightly lever after I raced one in F1,” he mentioned. “There’s by no means moments the place I get push underneath braking when it’s harvesting, it’s been very constant.
“The one factor that does take lots of getting used to is that these vehicles have so many issues you could change. For me, simply leaping in it, I’d say there’s too many issues that I might change!
“I mentioned to the blokes, simply give me the easy issues that can give me the most important profit when it comes to altering. The high-quality element is rarely going to be needed for me proper now. I’ll discover that out within the race. However there are such a lot of issues a driver can change, the driving force guide is 58 or 60 pages. Studying that, while you’ve by no means pushed the automotive, is sort of tough!
“There’s lots to play with, and it’s thrilling to place the hassle in and make a distinction.”
